HIGH pitched wails of anger and pain disrupted the quiet countryside area of Cushe Village, Biche, yesterday after a 40-year-old gardener and father of one was killed in the most gruesome manner in front of his wife.

Devanand Bholai and his wife Kemrajee Leela Jaikaran were tied up and gagged by three gunmen who entered their home in the wee hours of the morning yesterday. Their 18-year-old son, Anil, was at camp in Chatam and only returned home yesterday after hearing about his father’s killing.

Police said Bholai was shot in the head by one of the men when they demanded money from him.

He was killed as his wife looked on helplessly. She was unconsolable yesterday when Newsday visited the couple’s home.

Bholai died in his bedroom, next to his bed. The couple were asleep when the gunmen entered the house.

His killing was the 100th murder for the year according to Newsday’s figures.

The couple were tied up and gagged while the intruders ransacked the house. After taking the family’s laptop computer, television, jewelry and cash, the gunmen returned to the bedroom where they demanded more money.

Bholai was then shot in the head when he refused to hand over more money. The intruders then made their escape in a waiting vehicle.

Jaikaran, who managed to untie herself, contacted the police on her cellphone. Officers of the Biche Police Station, led by Sgt Mervyn Downing, Cpl Randy Banwarie PCs Daniel, Dewarika, and Maloney , immediately responded and found Bholai’s body lying in a pool of blood.

District Medical Officer Dr Kottapatti viewed the body and ordered its removal to Sangre Grande District Hospital Mortuary while Jaikaran was taken for medical attention. An autopsy is expected to be conducted at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, today.

Police said the three gunmen entered the couple’s home by breaking a back door and smashing a window.

The couple’s neighbours told police they heard gunshots early yesterday morning and saw a vehicle speeding off but were unable to get the licence plate of the vehicle.

Yesterday, between their wails, they told Newsday Bholai was a hard-working man who was always in his garden tending to his crops of tomatoes, watermelon and cucumber.

They said he was a top All Fours player in the district and would always share his produce with them. Police believe Bholai was targeted because of the money he collected from his produce sales on Saturday.

Cpl Banwarie of Biche Police Station is continuing enquiries while also assisting in the investigations are Supt Hinds and Insp George of the Homicide Division of the Police Service.